Knicks watch – A planned watch party outside Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals was canceled after security concerns, days after more than two dozen arrests at a similar gathering during Game 2. With President Donald Trump and NYC mayor Zohran Mandami expecte
Madison Square Garden will be loud on Monday night, but the street-level celebration built around it won’t happen.
A planned watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals outside Madison Square Garden has been canceled. with security concerns driving the decision. The stakes are higher than usual: President Donald Trump. who has said he plans to attend Game 3. and NYC mayor Zohran Mandami are expected to be in the area as the series shifts to New York.
The move comes after a tense scene at a similar outside gathering last Friday during Game 2 of the Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Authorities said more than two dozen people were arrested at that watch party. With the attention of major political figures now on Game 3, security has been placed on heightened alert.
The Knicks are making their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1999, and fans have leaned into the moment. More than 7,000 people showed up at Madison Square Garden to watch New York’s 105-104 victory over the Spurs in San Antonio, authorities said.
After that Game 2 watch event, authorities reported 26 people were detained, including 17 who were arrested and charged.
The New York Police Department said it had more than 1,000 officers on patrol at the Madison Square Garden watch party. Police commissioner Jessica Tisch has also voiced concern about whether the force is stretched thin, especially with the World Cup coming to the area.
Security planning is now being adjusted around Trump’s visit. The Knicks told fans with tickets to Game 3 on Monday night to arrive two hours early to account for security wait times tied to Trump and Mandami’s attendance.
An NYPD spokeswoman said the cancellation of Monday’s watch party was made in coordination with the Secret Service, which will provide security for President Trump during his visit.
Other watch parties around the area are still expected to continue as planned.
Trump was also asked about high ticket prices for the NBA Finals. He responded, “that’s the way life is, you know?”
Knicks NBA Finals Madison Square Garden Game 3 watch party canceled security concerns New York Police Department Secret Service Donald Trump Zohran Mandami Jessica Tisch World Cup ticket prices
So the fans can’t celebrate outside now? That’s kinda crazy.
Wait I thought Game 3 already had security? Like why cancel the whole thing over “risks” when they had 1,000 officers anyway. Also Trump being there = instant drama I guess.
This is what happens when people show up with no plan. They said 26 detained in Game 2 but I’m sure it was way more, like social media was saying like 100+? Either way, canceling seems excessive, but then they’re like “other watch parties still happen”… so which ones are unsafe? lol
They’re blaming security risks but it’s really politics. If Trump and the mayor are there, Secret Service should handle it, not shut down the crowd. Plus World Cup in the area like that’s why, come on. I’m just trying to figure out if the Knicks fans are still allowed to stand outside anyway or if it’s all roped off.